Pablo Hernandez is the talisman of this current Leeds United side and, on reflection, last season’s promotion push did really drop off when the Spaniard went off the boil, but he’s started 2019/20 in majestic form and looks set for one more push for the Premier League.

Leeds were fluid at Ashton Gate as they dispatched Bristol City 3-1 yesterday afternoon, with Marcelo Bielsa’s men suffering no hangover from the way last season’s promising campaign came to a crashing end.

And, to thank for that was Hernandez; drifting in-field from his right-wing position and picking up clever little pockets of space.

That’s how his goal came about, with Hernandez finding himself in a central area. Leeds had worked the ball wide to the always-available Jack Harrison, and then via Barry Douglas and Adam Forshaw, the ball found its way to the feet of Hernandez with his back to goal.

From there, the 34-year-old attempted to lay the ball off, but with a stroke of luck regained possession, turning and firing a sweet left-footed finish beyond a diving Daniel Bentley. For Leeds, lift off in 2019/20, for Bristol City, an uphill battle, and for Hernandez, another goal of the season contender already.

Bielsa’s side quickly got a grip of the game from there, and despite Bristol City’s best efforts to create a path back into the game, Leeds remained comfortable and put a real marker down at Ashton Gate.

Things were heating up as the second-half kicked off and there was a flutter of yellow cards, even for Hernandez, after the midfielder looked to haul down an advancing Kasey Palmer. That’s not Hernandez’s style at all, but shortly after we saw what the Spaniard was all about; craft and class made to look so simple.

A Bristol City clearance fell to Kalvin Phillips, who fired the ball wide to his teammate. Hernandez turned Callum O'Dowda inside out, knocking the ball past him and rounding him to get on the end of it before clipping expertly in the direction of Patrick Bamford, who made no mistake. A timely goal in the contest and in terms of the season’s start, as Leeds look to get Bamford firing early doors.

Hernandez was less involved in Harrison’s effort that made things even more comfortable, and his influence slowly faded – as to be expected on the opening day of the season on the back of a gruelling Marcelo Bielsa pre-season – with City snatching a consolation through Andi Weimann.

However, it was an outing to remember from Leeds’ classy Spaniard - rightly awarded the official Man of the Match award - full of nice touches, including a double nutmeg on O’Dowda in the first-half.

2018/19 was ultimately a year to forget for Leeds as they missed out on promotion, but Hernandez tried his best to get them over the line. 12 goals and 12 assists was his contribution, and it’d be naïve to think that another year older he’ll be able to match that. However, his importance to this Leeds side hasn’t lessened; the improved Harrison and Helder Costa’s arrival will ease the burden that weighted him down post-Easter last season, but he knows his importance to guiding Leeds to wins like this.

So, a goal and an assist to get Pablo Hernandez going, and that’s got Leeds going again. Bristol City are no mugs and this was seen as a tricky start for Bielsa’s side, but they made a statement. The long-term challenge is maintaining this for 46 games and not 42 like last season, but to do that, the Whites need Hernandez in this kind of mood.

Full-time: Bristol City 1-3 Leeds United.